Singapore authorities have urged ships to have a security plan against piracy and surveillance devices as attacks hit a new high, writes Marcus Hand in Singapore.

In a circular to shipping, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore urged the use of hi-tech equipment to warn of pirate attacks and alert owners that their vessel might have been hijacked.

“Shipping companies are strongly recommended to introduce surveillance devices such as pirate intrusion alarms, closed circuit television, night vision devices and anti-pirate radars to increase their security surveillance,” the MPA said.

To combat hijackings, owners were strongly urged to improve the monitoring of ship movements in satellite tracking type devices. “The latest hi-tech equipment, capable of automatically notifying the company in an emergency including an attack by pirates, should be considered,” the authority advised. In the past, hijackings have gone unnoticed for more than a day in cases where owners do not keep a close track of their ships.

The warning came as International Maritime Bureau figures for piracy attacks soared to 344 in the first nine months of 2003. Indonesia is the global blackspot with 87 attacks in the period and the number of attacks in the Malacca Strait leapt from 11 in 2002 to 24 this year.

The MPA also highlighted the need for a shipboard security plan and the reporting of attacks to authorities.

The security plan should cover the use of surveillance equipment, crew response, and radio and alarm procedures. Vessels in port or at anchor were advised to have security measures to stop unauthorised boarding.

Masters were strongly urged to report piracy/armed robbery attacks immediately in order for the authorities to take swift action.